TRENTON — City police are warning residents who leave their keys in the ignition and cars running on the street that they are a target for thieves.

In just one week, 60 percent of the vehicles stolen in the city were taken because of what police term “operator carelessness.” Between May 13 and 16, most of the car thefts were allowed to occur because drivers left their keys in the vehicles, sometimes even with the engine running, police said.

During the month of April the city had 31 vehicle thefts, according to crime data made available by the State Police.

It’s just too tempting a target for car thieves, and police are asking drivers to be mindful.
“This is something we need the public’s help with,” Lt. Steve Varn said. “Help us out … don’t make it easy for them.”

Many of the thefts are committed by juveniles who steal the cars simply to joyride. They abandon the vehicles later. The sometimes reckless joyrides can end in crashes where innocent people are injured, police said.

“It could’ve all been avoided had the owner of the vehicle left the keys out and the vehicle locked,” Varn said.

To show they’re serious about preventing thefts, police may also be using their power to level $1,000 fines when they see the cars left running. City ordinances also allow officers to remove the keys of an unattended vehicle and bring that key to a police station.